Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 28) — The TNT Tropang Giga handily defeated the San Miguel Beermen in Game 4, 100-87, to even the best-of-seven affair of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Coming off the bench, Castro delivered a superb outing for TNT with 26 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Tropang Giga, who welcomed back head coach Chot Reyes from his Gilas Pilipinas mentoring duties in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Asian qualifiers, were in control for most of the first half as their lead ballooned to as high as 18 points.
However, a late rally by the Beermen trimmed the deficit to just seven points at the halftime break.
Mo Tautuaa provided the spark for San Miguel early in the third period as he made a living exploiting the mismatch inside the shaded area.
The Beermen briefly took the lead, but Tropang Giga’s fast-paced offense enabled them to establish a nine-point advantage heading into the final frame.
Bench contribution was the key for Tropang Giga as they outscored San Miguel, 41-22.
RR Pogoy chipped in 21 points, while Williams added 15 points for TNT.
Newly minted Best Player of the Conference June Mar Fajardo dropped 20 points and grabbed 19 rebounds for San Miguel in the losing effort.
The pivotal Game 5 is slated for Aug. 31, also at the Big Dome.
